Trigger Warning: Mentions of Abuse, Violence, and Slight Profanity

As we walked through the trees, the sound of rushing water grew closer and closer. After jumping over snake holes and hiding from rugged deer with black-striped eyes, we turned past a jagged rock and there it was. The largest river I had ever seen!

The river seemed to run for miles, as it rushed down the riverbend. Its waters were filled with smooth stones and serene waves. Ray saw the glistening water and was captivated by its beauty. This place was peaceful to me, so I led her to some dry rocks and sat at her side.

"Has Ray never seen a river before? I used to see one all the time when I went jogging at night. I wonder what her life was like before she lost her memories." I thought, looking at her in wonder.

Her green eyes slowly made their way to mine. Once we locked eyes, she turned her gaze towards the river, then back at me with a curious look. I stared back at her, trying to form the words swirling in my head. But my mouth ran dry, leaving me frozen in place. All I could do was look down at my marked hands, with my X tattoos staring back at me.

Anyways, that's not the point. I did say I would tell her, so why not now?" I thought anxiously.

"Hey Ray?" I asked timidly.

"Yeah Joe?" Ray answered, shifting her gaze towards me.

"I told you that I would explain myself, so the time is now. This will be very hard for me, but I think you deserve to know." I confessed, fidgeting with my thumbs.

"If it's something that you feel comfortable telling me, then I'm all ears! So thank you for putting your trust in me." Ray replied with a radiant smile.

"No, I should be thanking you! You saved my life, and didn't report me to any base camp. You're so nice Ray that it doesn't feel real sometimes. But it's time you knew about my life before this. To know the truth of my past." I declared boldly.

"I'm glad you think I'm nice, but so are you! I know nothing of my past, so who knows what crimes I could have done during that time. But don't you forget that it was you who rescued me from that prison cell. You and no one else! I'll never forget your kindness, so please, tell me about your past." Ray praised, lacing her fingers together.

"Well I definitely wasn't loved as a child. If anything it was the exact opposite. Reminds me of..."

****Flashback****
"You damned fool! How could you do such a thing? After all I've done for you? A horrible disgrace, that's what you are! A curse placed on this family, all because of you!" My mom cursed, jabbing her finger in my chest.

"But mom, I promise you I didn't do anything. Eddie is lying to you and you're not in the right state of mind. I'm innocent, I swear! Why won't you believe me?" I cried desperately, trying to reason with her.

"How could I possibly believe you? You dare mock me with this foolishness? Well let me tell you something, you remember your father right? Ha! Of course you don't, you were way too young! You know why he left all those years ago? It was because of you, you sorry excuse for a son. Why, I'm ashamed to even be related to you. As of now, I have no son!" Mom snarled, turning her finger into a fist.

Looming over me, mom gave me a sinister smile. She came closer, then hit me with the nastiest headbutt imaginable. Then proceeded to windup her fist, and nail me in the gut. Not showing one ounce of mercy.

"So he left because of me? Or because you clearly don't love me?" I asked in a blunt tone, not fully convinced.

If she was going to accuse me, then I would do the same. I will not let her have her way, not when my father was involved.

"Obviously it's because of you! There's no chance he would leave me, only you! That's right Josepth, I don't love you. I never have and I never will!" She screeched in a frenzy.

I gasped in shock, hurt by her malicious words. I put my hands over my mouth to hold back a devastating cry. I fell to my knees, crying hot tears. Her words were like poison, always quick to take over my soul.

***Flashback End***
"So she accused you of scaring off your father, and claimed that you're not her son? That woman is crazy! She had no right to say such things or lay a hand on you. Whether it be verbal or physical, abuse is still abuse! Completely rooted in her biased thoughts. Who does she think she is?" Ray fumed, seething in anger.

I shook my head and shrugged, unsure of the answer myself. Mom was always hard on me, so I couldn't imagine her any other way.

"She always seemed to hate me no matter what I would do. Constantly yelling at me for walking in her house, then pushing me to be more like Eddie if I ever did something wrong. Oh, Eddie is my brother by the way. He was nice to me back at home, but once we got to the base camp, he changed. We may not share the same blood, but he's still part of the family." I explained, gripping my shirt as my heart ached.

"You're right, family isn't always biological. But it is those who stay with you and care for you. People who are willing to stay by your side throughout the hardest moments in your life. Now those people are your true family." Ray exclaimed, trying to hold back her tears.

"It was as if she was a different person, a person I couldn't recognize anymore. She even tried to exorcize me, using all sorts of chants and salts. Treating me like I was some sort of demon. A monster that wasn't worth caring for. That's how I...how I got these." I whispered, fumbling with my bandages.

I trembled in fear, fear of Ray not accepting me. I was scared of losing my friend, my only friend, but I wanted her trust most of all. I pulled off the bandages on my arms, then leaned forward to loosen the ones on my legs.

Ray watched as my bandages unraveled, looking more shocked than appalled. I wanted to stay strong, by trying to keep all my feelings inside. But my eyes started to water, until my tears began to overflow, staining my sniffling face.

My demons had finally come to light, revealing all the memories that have plagued me since that dreadful night. Memories that I cannot escape. Once the bandages were uncovered, my scars had fully been exposed. All the burns that I had endured under my mom's wrath were finally put on display.